Century 5 Star AC/DC Welder

[Shield Arc]

I used a welder some what like that one for years. Bought it in the 70s. Even Tig welded with it. Built a lot of projects with it.

 

[rankrank1]

You done excellent for $100. That model is the enhanced version (just like ShieldArc's is also the enhanced version but his adjuster mechanism is different than yours). The standard run of the mill Century model more is more along the lines of 230 Amp AC output and 150 amp DC output.

While I am personally not a fan of the run of the mill Century amp adjuster mechanism (they can be temper-mental when worn but I have only been around the standard models - your heavey duty model is totally different in pics and likely much beefier components). Regardless, The rest of that welder is likely to outlast your kids and grandkids even. For $100 I would have owned that welder too and I do not even need it.

As for passing on the IdealArc. Do not lose any sleep over that. The Idealarc are admittingly a great welder, but not always the best choice for a homeowner who is only a sporadic user. They are big, heavy, and require very large wiring to power them. Just running the circuit to power an idealarc can be expensive just to get one operational if the run is a long one as it requires big wire. And forget moving an Idealarc around unless you have a vast expanse of concrete floor. Your Century on the other hand can be safely powered on smaller wiring in comparison and offers some easier portability too (even being easy enough to move outside in the grass if needed). Not saying the Century is better than the Idealarc just cheaper and more appropriate for the average homeowner occasional user perspective.

 

[muddstopper]

I remember the first Century welder I ever seen. Look somewhat similar to yours and was around the same time period. The welder had all copper windings, not like the new models now that are all aluminum. The guy that own the machine had a high frequency box with the machine and he actually welded reynolds wrap aluminum foil together with it. Gosh that guy could weld. I guess that century welder might be a little out dated, but I bet most of the folks here wouldnt even try aluminum foil welding with their new machines.

 

[Arc weld]

I wouldn't think a Century a could be set for low enough amps to weld aluminum foil, especially without a foot pedal to control amps. I know a few people that can weld aluminum foil but you need low amps and a good machine to do it. I would have to see it done on a Century machine without a foot pedal to believe it. Most of the lower end welders only go down to about 30 amps or so. I'm sure the Century will work OK for the poster.

 

[ThomasH]

Charlie - Running 100 feet of primary cord would be doable, but only at lower power (120 amps or less for example) and with an 8/3 cord. I have a 300 amp inverter welder (Miller XMT304) which I have a 50 foot cord for, and I have gotten that cord hot when stick welding 175 amps. An inverter welder tends to draw more current when the voltage drops, and I assume that your transformer welder would be similar in that you probably would turn up the amperage a bit if it was on the cold side, which would end up being the same thing. I have had better luck with heavier secondary (welding) cables, and use those (OO) when I need the length.

 

[MN Charlie]

Well, I've got 75 feet of 8/3 SOOW cable ordered and on the way. I did a more careful measurement and found that 75 feet should be plenty to feed from my range outlet which is on a 50 amp breaker. I was able to find the cable online for just $145 including shipping. At this point, it's all that I can do short of hiring an electrician to wire an outlet and that could get tricky since there's only one spare slot in my panel.

The total circuit length from panel to welder should be just over 100 feet. I'll just have to monitor the cord temp.

Charlie

 

[Bob E]

I just picked up one of these welders the other day with a Universal High Frequency Arc Stabilizer attached to it. Looking around on line this thread was about all the information I could find about this welder. So I figured I would go ahead and throw up some more pictures and the pdf's I got from Lincoln for anyone else who might also be looking for information.

Here is the parts list/diagram. Lincoln still doesn't have a manual for the welder. If anybody else has one I would be interested in taking a peak at it. I don't care if you are reading this 3 years from now, send me a PM. :wave:

 

[Bob E]

This thing is heavier duty than your average Tombstone or Thunderbolt, but it isn't quite as heavy duty as an Idealarc or Dial Arc. The duty cycle is 100% around 80-90 amps and tappers to 20% at it's highest setting. The dial also has some travel bellow 30 amps.

 

[Bob E]

There is a handy junction box on the back for the power cord and it can be wired for 230 or 208 input volts. There are also some pretty decent instructions under the lid, I guess that is probably why nobody kept the manuals :laughing:

 

[Bob E]

The manual for the Universal High Frequency Arc Stabilizer exceeds the forums size limit so I have uploaded it to scribd.com.
Century Universal High Frequency Arc Stabilizer manual